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Showcasing Fundamental Data Records for Altimetry
ESA has developed a comprehensive suite of Earth system data records as part of the Fundamental Data Records for Altimetry (FDR4ALT) project.
ESA's improved Earth system data records: what is in store for the future?
Fundamental Data Records (FDRs) are instrumental in advancing our understanding of Earth systems and for addressing societal challenges effectively. These long-term records contain uncertainty-quantified, calibrated and geo-located multi-instrument/multi-platform satellite sensor data spanning several decades to support climate-related applications.
FDR4ALT - ESA unveils new cutting-edge ERS/Envisat Altimeter and Microwave Radiometer Datasets
The European Space Agency (ESA) has developed a comprehensive suite of innovative Earth system data records as part of the Fundamental Data Records for Altimetry project - FDR4ALT.
Fundamental Data Records for Radiometry [MWR_FDR___]
This dataset is a Fundamental Data Record (FDR) resulting from the ESA FDR4ALT project. The Fundamental Data Record for Radiometry V1 products contain intercalibrated Top of the Atmosphere brightness temperatures at 23.8 and 36.5 GHz. The collection covers data for the ERS-1, ERS-2 and Envisat missions, and is built upon a new processing of Level 0 data, incorporating numerous improvements in terms of algorithms, flagging procedures, and corrections. Compared to existing datasets, the Radiometry FDR demonstrates notable improvements in several aspects: New solutions for instrumental effects (ERS Reflector loss, Skyhorn, and Sidelobe corrections) Native sampling rate of 7Hz with enhanced coverage The FDR4ALT products are available in NetCDF format. Free standard tools for reading NetCDF data can be used. Information for expert altimetry users is also available in a dedicated NetCDF group within the products. Please consult the FDR4ALT Product User Guide before using the data. The FDR4ALT datasets represent the new reference data for the ERS/Envisat altimetry missions, superseding any previous mission data. Users are strongly encouraged to make use of these datasets for optimal results.
Fundamental Data Records for Altimetry [ALT_FDR___]
This dataset is a Fundamental Data Record (FDR) resulting from the ESA FDR4ALT project. The Fundamental Data Record for Altimetry V1 products contain Level 0 and Level 1 altimeter-related parameters including calibrated radar waveforms and supplementary instrumental parameters describing the altimeter operating status and configuration through the satellite lifetime. The data record consists of data for the ERS-1, ERS-2 and Envisat missions for the period ranging from 1991 to 2012, and bases on the Level 1 data obtained from previous ERS REAPER and ENVISAT V3.0 reprocessing efforts incorporating new algorithms, flags, and corrections to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the data. For many aspects, the Altimetry FDR product has improved compared to the existing individual mission datasets: New neural-network waveform classification, surface type classification, distance to shoreline and surface flag based on GSHHG Instrumental calibration information directly available in the product Improved Orbit solutions Correction of REAPER drawbacks (i.e., time jumps and negative waveforms) The FDR4ALT products are available in NetCDF format. Free standard tools for reading NetCDF data can be used. Information for expert altimetry users is also available in a dedicated NetCDF group within the products. Please consult the FDR4ALT Product User Guide before using the data. The FDR4ALT datasets represent the new reference data for the ERS/Envisat altimetry missions, superseding any previous mission data. Users are strongly encouraged to make use of these datasets for optimal results.
Envisat MIPAS data now available on new ESA Dissemination Server
The latest reprocessed Envisat MIPAS Level 1 and Level 2 datasets have now been migrated from simple FTP access to the new Online Dissemination service for ESA Heritage Missions (HM) Atmospheric data.
Satellites track the health of the ozone layer
ESA’s Earth observation activities are contributing to international efforts to monitor and preserve the layer of stratospheric ozone that blankets the planet.
Transforming space data into climate action
ESA’s Earth observation activities are playing a key role in the revitalised global drive to combat climate change.
Data preservation takes centre stage at Living Planet Symposium
Against the backdrop of the famed Rhine River, world-class scientists and Earth observation data-users are gathered this week in the historical city of Bonn, at the Living Planet Symposium (LPS).
Space data help to unravel the complexities of Earth’s atmosphere
As the impacts of the climate crisis intensify, scientists are using ESA’s Earth observation archives to investigate atmospheric processes and their influences on the planet’s changing environment.
Interviewing Mirko Albani
ESA’s Heritage Space Programme Manager describes the goals of the programme, some of the challenges involved in preserving and improving 40 years of historical Earth observation data, and his passion for curating this long-term archive.
Introducing Mirko Albani
In this short introduction, ESA's Heritage Missions Programme Manager describes what he likes most about ESA's long term archive of satellite mission data and his role in the programme.
How Envisat helped to shape global understanding of Earth’s systems
Twenty years have passed since a ground-breaking European spacecraft designed to deliver unprecedented insight into the planet’s changing environment was lofted into orbit.
Envisat - ESA's versatile Earth observation satellite
Learn more about ESA's Envisat mission - the largest Earth observation satellite ever built - in a new infographic.
Envisat RA-2 Geophysical Data Record - GDR [RA2_GDR__2P]
This is a RA-2 Geophysical Data Record (GDR) Full Mission Reprocessing (FMR) V3 product containing radar range and orbital altitude, wind speed, wave height, water vapour from the MWR and geophysical corrections. This FMR follows the first Envisat Altimetry reprocessing Version (V2.1) completed in 2012. The GDR and S-GDR data products were reprocessed for all cycles from 6 to 113 (May 2002 to April 2012) into a homogeneous standard in NetCDF format (close to Sentinel-3). For many aspects, the V3.0 reprocessed data are better than the previous dataset: In terms of available and valid data, the coverage is better, notably thanks to a better availability of MWR data at the beginning of the mission In terms of performance at cross-overs, the quality is improved: the annual signal and average of Mean SSH is decreased, as well as the standard deviation The new MWR characteristics were shown to improve largely the global quality of data. As well as the new tide model, the new MSS and the new orbit standard The Global and regional Mean Sea Level trend is very weakly impacted though the effort was put, this time, on the mesoscale restitution, rather than long term drift, as during V2.1 reprocessing. Please consult the Envisat RA-2/MWR Product Quality Readme file PDF before using the data.
Envisat RA-2 Sensor and Geophysical Data Record - SGDR [RA2_MWS__2P]
This is a RA-2 Sensor and Geophysical Data Record (SGDR) Full Mission Reprocessing (FMR) V3 product. This FMR follows the first Envisat Altimetry reprocessing Version (V2.1) completed in 2012. The GDR and S-GDR data products were reprocessed for all cycles from 6 to 113 (May 2002 to April 2012) into a homogeneous standard in NetCDF format (close to Sentinel-3). The Sensor Data Record (SGDR) Product from RA-2/MWR includes the data in the GDR product (RA-2 geophysical data, MWR data) and also RA-2 averaged waveforms (18Hz) and RA-2 individual waveforms (1800Hz). This product is a continuation of ERS RA data. This data product has a coverage of 1 pass and pole to pole, a spatial sampling of about 390 m along track and a size of 31 to 40 MB, depending on presence of individual waveforms. The radiometric accuracy is 0.2 dB and auxiliary data include: Orbit state vectors (DORIS, FOS), RA2 and MWR characterisation data, Platform attitude, Gain calibration, USO frequency, ECMWF data, time relation, leap second, Ionospheric corrections, geoid, mean sea surface, slope data, and tide model (ocean, earth, loading, pole). Please consult the Envisat RA-2/MWR Product Quality Readme file before using the data.
Envisat MIPAS L2 - Temperature, pressure and atmospheric constituents profiles [MIPAS_2PS/2PE]
This MIPAS Level 2 data product describes localised vertical profiles of pressure, temperature and 21 target species (H2O, O3, HNO3, CH4, N2O, NO2, CFC-11, ClONO2, N2O5, CFC-12, COF2, CCL4, HCN, CFC-14, HCFC-22, C2H2, C2H6, COCl2, CH3Cl, OCS and HDO). It has a global coverage of Earth's stratosphere and mesosphere at all latitudes and longitudes. The vertical resolution of p, T and VMR profiles varies from 3 to 4 km, whereas the horizontal resolution is approximately 300 km to 500 km along track. This depends on the tangent height range and optical properties of the atmosphere. Auxiliary data include spectroscopic data, microwindows data, validation data, initial guess p, T and trace gas VMR profiles. The resolution range of the dataset is: 3 km (vertical) x 30 km (horizontal) at the tangent point. The latest reprocessed MIPAS Level 2 data (v8.22) is available as Standard products (MIPAS_2PS): A complete product containing 22 MIPAS L2 chemical species covering a single orbit and single species providing information generally needed by data users. Extended products (MIPAS_2PE): A complete product containing 22 MIPAS L2 chemical species covering a single orbit and single species intended for diagnostics and expert users who need complete information about the retrieval process. Both products are available in NetCDF format. Please refer to the MIPAS L2 v8.22 Product Quality Readme file for further details.
Envisat MIPAS L1 - Geo-located and calibrated atmospheric spectra [MIP_NL__1P]
This MIPAS Level 1 data product covers the geo-located, spectrally and radiometrically calibrated limb emission spectra in the 685-2410 cm-1 wave number range. It comprises 5 bands: 685-980 cm-1, 1010-1180 cm-1, 1205-1510 cm-1, 1560-1760 cm-1, 1810-2410 cm-1 and covers the following spatial ranges: Tangent height range: 5 to 170 km Pointing range: (azimuth pointing range relative to satellite velocity vector): 160° - 195° (rearward anti-flight direction); 80° - 110° (sideward anti-Sun direction). The instantaneous field of view (IFOV) is 0.05230 (elevation) x 0.5230 (azimuth)°. The length of measurement cell for an individual height step is approximately 300-500 km (dependent on tangent height and optical properties of the atmosphere). The spectral resolution spans from 0.030 to 0.035 cm-1, with a radiometric sensitivity of 4.2 to 50 nW / cm-1 / sr / cm2. The resolution range of the dataset is: 3 km (vertical) x 30 km (horizontal) at the tangent point. Please consult the Product Quality Readme file for MIPAS Level 1b IPF 8.03 before using the data.
Envisat RA-2 MWR Cyclic L2 Report 15 Sep 2003
Envisat RA-2 MWR Cyclic L2 Report
Envisat RA-2 MWR Cyclic L2 Report 20 Oct 2003
Envisat RA-2 MWR Cyclic L2 Report